SAN ANTONIO - The Crisis Intervention Training Program of the San Antonio Police Department will be recognized Thursday at the nation's largest independent gathering of mental health clinicians.

Psych Congress will hold its 29th annual conference Thursday through Monday in San Antonio. Psych Congress said the annual conference attracts an average more than 2,100 psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, primary care physicians and other health care professionals who seek to increase their knowledge, confidence and abilities to improve patient outcomes pertaining to mental illness.

The opening session of the event will recognize the work of SAPD's crisis intervention training program with a charitable contribution, Psych Congress said. The Police Department started with CIT training in 2003, receiving their initial training from the Houston Police Department.

The SAPD Mental Health Detail is comprised of a sergeant and six officers. Officials said the unit responds to mental health-related calls for service, collect and pass on report data, and work with hospitals and organizations.

The event takes place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Stars at Night B1 at 900 East Market Street in San Antonio.